Spatial aspects in the work of Reinhart Koselleck

Bibliographic Data

ID11345233
AuthorsNiklas Olsen (0000-0002-4284-2228, The Saxo Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark, corresponding author)
Year2023
Volume49
Issue1
Pages136-151
Publication date2023-01-02
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueHistory of European Ideas (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0191-6599 • E-ISSN: 1873-541X
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/01916599.2021.1937891
OpenAlexW3170380839
LanguageEN
Citations received3
References cited20

Reinhart Koselleck never gave spatial aspects centre stage in his work, but is nevertheless referred to as a pioneer of the ‘spatial turn’. This article explores this paradox by examining Koselleck's understanding of and approach to spatial aspects, the role they played in his work, and the reception of his work on spatial matters by other scholars. The aim is to achieve a better grasp of Koselleck's work and to clarify in what sense we can label him a pioneer of the ‘spatial turn’. The article presents three arguments: (1) Spatial aspects represent a somewhat marginal and sketchy rather than integral part of Koselleck's thinking, and they stand in the shadow of his much stronger interest in historical time. (2) Koselleck's work nevertheless contains spatial analytical features, which embody, respectively, anthropological and social, geographical and geopolitical, and phenomenological and linguistic dimensions. (3) The reception of the spatial aspects of Koselleck’ work is disparate and unconnected, and those finding inspiration in Koselleck do not regard him as a spatial thinker. These caveats, the article concludes, should be kept in mind in discussions of whether Koselleck ought to be understood as a pioneer of the ‘spatial turn’

Epistemology · Psychoanalysis · Shadow (psychology · Sociology · Work (physics · Historical, Literary, and Cultural Studies · Philosophy · Political and Social Issues · Psychology · Reformation and Early Modern Christianity

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